Statistics Canada building and signs are pictured in Ottawa. A survey from Statistics Canada suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an effect on the alcohol and drug consumption habits of Canadians. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of stress and concern for Canadians and a survey that Statistics Canada released Thursday suggested that it has had an effect on the alcohol and drug consumption habits of Canadians.
“New evidence suggests it may have also had an influence on the alcohol and drug consumption habits of Canadians,” Statistics Canada said in their report. “Some may have had more free time to consume alcohol and non-medical cannabis, while others may have increased their consumption in an effort to relieve boredom or fight loneliness.”
The survey found that among people who previously consumed alcohol, 24 per cent said that their consumption of it increased during the pandemic, while 22 per cent said that it had decreased.
At the provincial level, Ontario reported a 30 per cent increase in alcohol consumption, the highest of all provinces. Ontario was followed by the Prairie provinces, which reported a 27 per cent increase, then British Columbia at 22 per cent, Quebec at 17 per cent, and the Atlantic provinces at 16 per cent.
According to the survey, Canadians that have experienced stress and social isolation since the beginning of the pandemic were more likely to increase alcohol…
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Statistics Canada building and signs are pictured in Ottawa. A survey from Statistics Canada suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an effect on the alcohol and drug consumption habits of Canadians. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of stress and concern for Canadians and a survey that Statistics Canada released Thursday suggested that it has had an effect on the alcohol and drug consumption habits of Canadians.
“New evidence suggests it may have also had an influence on the alcohol and drug consumption habits of Canadians,” Statistics Canada said in their report. “Some may have had more free time to consume alcohol and non-medical cannabis, while others may have increased their consumption in an effort to relieve boredom or fight loneliness.”
The survey found that among people who previously consumed alcohol, 24 per cent said that their consumption of it increased during the pandemic, while 22 per cent said that it had decreased.
At the provincial level, Ontario reported a 30 per cent increase in alcohol consumption, the highest of all provinces. Ontario was followed by the Prairie provinces, which reported a 27 per cent increase, then British Columbia at 22 per cent, Quebec at 17 per cent, and the Atlantic provinces at 16 per cent.
According to the survey, Canadians that have experienced stress and social isolation since the beginning of the pandemic were more likely to increase alcohol…